This from the blog Pakistan Uncut (although I think the credit should really go to Dawn News service)…..

Islamabad’s densely populated Sector G-6, where Lal Masjid is located, and the areas in its vicinity were jolted by big bangs of grenades, heavy shelling and other heavy arms used in the battle early in the morning.

The entire federal capital was declared a red zone as there was a complete ban on people’s entry and exit from morning to evening.

Life in Islamabad was paralysed and most residents went on rooftops to see clouds of thick black smoke over Lal Masjid.

The fighting was so horrifying that bullets of heavy guns hit many multi-storeyed buildings located four to five kilometres away from Lal Masjid.

Heavy movement of troops continued around Lal Masjid throughout the day with machinegun-fitted armoured personnel carriers and trucks carrying armed troops.

Some of the parents of the children, who did not come out of the mosque or were shifted to other places without informing them, started weeping when they were told that the operation had almost concluded.

I feel sorry for all the poor parents who had little kids trapped in there. Can you imagine seeing a fight like that go on knowing that your kid was trapped in side?

Unfortunately, I think events like this are only going to become more common.